Virginia Military Institute Historic District facts for kids
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Virginia Military Institute Historic District
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View of parade ground, Barracks, and adjacent buildings
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | VMI campus, Lexington, Virginia |
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| Area | 12 acres (4.9 ha) |
| Built | 1818 |
| Architect | A.J. Davis; Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival, Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 74002219 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 30, 1974 |
| Designated NHLD | May 30, 1974 |
The Virginia Military Institute Historic District is a special area in Lexington, Virginia. It covers about 12 acres of the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) campus. This district is important because it shows how the school grew. Starting in 1839, VMI became a leading military academy in the Southern United States. It has trained many military leaders for different wars. The district includes the famous Barracks building. This building was even named a separate National Historic Landmark in 1965. The entire historic district was officially recognized in 1974.
Exploring the VMI Campus
The historic district includes the main parts of the VMI campus. At its center is the parade ground. This is a large, oval grassy area. Campus roads circle this parade ground. Buildings stand on the other side of these roads.
The district also includes buildings on nearby streets. These streets are Letcher Avenue, Burma Road, and Stono Lane.
The Famous Barracks Building
The most important building on campus is the Barracks. It is a large, Gothic-style building. It looks like a fortress with its tall, castle-like walls. The oldest part of the Barracks was built in 1848. It was designed by Alexander Jackson Davis.
This building is very special because it was the only structure to survive attacks. These attacks happened during the American Civil War. The Barracks also greatly influenced how other buildings on campus were designed later.
Other Important Buildings
Many buildings on campus were inspired by Davis's work. One example is the main Commandant's Quarters. This building was built in 1862. Another is the Pendleton-Coles House. It also has a Gothic style, but it is in the Carpenter Gothic style.
Later buildings on campus show different styles. Some faculty homes on the west side of the parade ground are in a neocolonial style. Near the eastern end of the district is a house called Stono. It was built in 1818. This house belonged to John Jordan. He was the main builder of the VMI campus. He also built Centre Hall at the nearby Washington and Lee University.
